Originally posted by klafollette
He said that we are misinformed about the cost of staying elsewhere. Am I wrong to assume that if staying at the Arizona Biltmore between May and September for a week (a total of 154 points) has a monetary value of $1540 (154 x $10 pp)? If so, I looked on the Biltmore's website and they are selling the same room at the same time for $1365.
Am I figuring the per point cost correctly? Is $10 what you guys figure that the points cost?
IMO, assigning cash value to points is a pretty dicey proposition. For example, even looking within the
DVC program, the points required for a 2B at BCV range from 30 (weekday Adventure Season) to 106 (weekend Premier Season). Is it really fair to say the "value" of a stay in the same room varies from $300 to $1060?
The only cost you can tie directly to your points on an annual basis are your maintenance fees. For 2004 at SSR, your 154 points at $3.80 each means that the only cash you are paying out for that room is $585.20.
From there, every time you stay (be it a DVC resort or one of the other Collections), some portion of your perceived "savings" would have to offset your initial purchase amount until you reach a break-even point.
Another way to look at it would be as jaysue described. If you're paying $79 per point for 50 years worth of ownership, you would have a straight-line value of $1.58 per point, per year. Combine that with your dues and you get $5.38 as your point "value" for 2004.
Are there better deals for the property you mentioned than $828 (154 x $5.85) per night? Possibly. But I think you need to find that out for yourself before using it as your basis for cancelling the contract.
Largely because of the rental market and Magical Beginnings, the $10 figure is frequently used as a sort of "Mendoza Line" for valuing a point. Many people (and I cannot exclude myself) often decide that if they aren't getting at least $10 in perceived value for each point spent, that they are getting ripped off. That's probably an extreme reaction.
But, back to your situation. I think you would be very wise to QUICKLY research other timeshare alternatives and determine if DVC is the right way to go or not. If not, approach your guide with an attitude that you are prepared to completely walk away from the deal unless it is reworked to suit your needs.
In this case, I don't think it's fair to fault your Guide for selling you the points in the first place. IMO, that would be similar to blaming a Hummer salesman for not pointing out that a Ford Focus will still get you from Point A to Point B for a fraction of the cost. You do need to assume SOME blame for not fully researching alternatives before starting the purchase process.
But don't let the Guide muscle you around on changing your mind. That's why you have the 15-day grace period established by law. Calmly explain that you have decided that another timeshare alternative would better suit your non-Disney needs. Having facts and figures to back this up wouldn't hurt. But make it clear that the Guide needs to decide between selling you a smaller number of points under the original terms, or losing the sale altogether.
